The Music Of T2: Trainspotting

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♦Danny Boyle’s T2 comes to Blu Ray and DVD this month in the UK and here’s a rundown of some of the best music from both films to tie in with that…

Iggy Pop, Lust for Life (Trainspotting and T2)

It’s safe to say that when you mention Trainspotting, one of the first things many people think of is Lust for Life. The iconic Iggy Pop song is totally synonymous with the film thanks to an adrenaline shot of a first scene that introduced the world to Begbie, Sick Boy, Spud and Renton as well as the latter’s ‘choose life’ speech; a biting take down of corporate Capitalism and the political landscape of the late 1980s that remains as funny and poignant today as ever. As for T2, it was hard for Danny Boyle to return to the song without being derivative but he manages the task impeccably by bringing in a Prodigy remix in the final moments of the film.

Lou Reed, Perfect Day (Trainspotting)

Easily one of the finest moments of Danny Boyle’s masterpiece; this Lou Reed accompanied scene follows Renton as he takes relapses and returns to heroin, overdoses and is taken to the hospital. These kind of scenes can often be fairly ham fisted in the hands of lesser directors but through a few effective devices, Danny Boyle creates one of near perfection. He uses simple but imaginative visuals as Renton falls through the carpet, frequent POV shots and a song that builds throughout and forms an intensely moving and unnerving scene.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Relax (T2)

For anyone who loves Trainspotting and has been hoping for a sequel in any form, this scene is probably their most anticipated: the standoff between Renton and certified psychopath, Begbie, years after the former ripped him off. Danny Boyle certainly pulls it off, creating an intensely exciting scene aided by a well-placed reference to the original at the end. This is all of course aided by Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Relax, which furthers both the tension and absurdity of their meeting.

Underworld, Born Slippy (Trainspotting)

The end of Trainspotting is arguably one of the finest endings in cinema history but it would lose much of its impact without a song to match. In Underworld’s Born Slippy, the film is able to emphasise and communicate many of its central themes/points. The fast electronic thudding of the drums perfectly shows Begbie’s manic anger as he discovers Renton’s betrayal as well as Renton’s mindset as he decides to do so. This is not to mention the distorted vocals and synths, which reflects Renton’s perhaps naive hope that he can make a fresh start.

T2 debuts on Digital May 22 and on DVD, Blu-ray™ and 4K Ultra HD™ on June 5